Bismarck weekly tribune., 1887-02-04
LIGHTS AND SHADOWS.

u Lain With dOP EhNOh M CUSMACh
Of late there has been much said and
written about the supposed cause of the
delay of the confirmation of Judge Church
as governor of Dakota. It has been re-
ported that Governor Pierce was at the
bottom of the plot and that he was endeav-
oring to cling to the office until the territor-
ial appointments might be made. A few
democrats expressed that opinion yesterday
and this fact was mentioned to Governor
Mccormack last evening. II know this to
be FALSE" said he with much emphasis
sand it is great injustice to Gilbert A.
Pierce, as he did all within his po wer to
hasten the confirmation of Judge Church.
1 know that he was anxious for the news
of the confirmation to relieve him of the
emoarassement with which he, was sur
rounded, and | am satisfied that Judge
Church is convinced of this fact. Governor
Pierce would have been happy if on the
day that he delivered his message he could
have transferred the Office to Judge
Church, whose confirmation I trust and
hope will be forthcoming"
THE NEW ADMINISTRATION.
Governor Mccormack started in on his
administration yesterday with a commend
able ease and grace and it may be we'll to
hint that during his incumbency of the
office he will swing fearless quill with
reference to signing and vetoing bills. In
this respect let it be understood that his
first veto may be used on the bill legalizing
the election in Sioux Falls for the issuing
Of 0,O00 in bonds as bonus to the Bur
lington, Cedar Rapids and Northern rail-
road. tits whispered among those who
ought to know that Governor Mccormack
does not approve of this bill and its friends
must not be disappointed if it is squelched
with veto.
THE HANDSOMEST LEGISLATOR.
Nothing since the opening Of the legisla-
ture has created such furore or aroused
so much interest as the contest for the
prize offered to the handsomest man in the
legislature and its award to Representa-
tive Fletcher. In his speech of acceptance
Mr.. Fletcher said:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: I was never
so embarrassed in all my life. am not at
all surprised (laughter). Indeed the re-
suit is what expected of the shrewd and
discriminating ladies of Bismarck. I have
always had ldrking suspicion that,I was
handsome fellow, but l never expected
to see it conceded in such a tangible and
unmistakable form. When [ entered the
Atheneum tonight and heard that | was
put forward as candidate, I felt sure that
| had but one formidable rival-the late
Hon. Donald Stewart. I refer to him as
the "iate" honorable, because the result of
the nights voting knocks his aspirations
to the winds aud leaves him stranded on
the shores of mediocrity.
Ladies. l thank you for the compliment
conferred, and feel that you have done
honor to yourselves as we'll as to me, for
you have established the fact that you pos
sess in an eminent degree fine pow wers of
discrimination and Judgment most super
lor. l can assure you. ladies. that I shall
live in such way and conduct myself in
such manner that may win even greater
laurels IN the future as professional
beauty. Laughter and applause].
This sounds very well, but the following
letter from Donald Stewart throws the case
into most embarrassing dilemma from
which it can be relieved by the ladies only:
EDITOR TRIBUNE:-Now that my good
friend Fletcher has had the glory of win
ming the prize offered by the ladies to the
to the handsOmest man in the legis-
lature, allow me as a candidate for the
prize to set myself Alright with my consti-
tuents and the people of Dakota. On the
evening OF the beauty contest the ladies
invited me to attend caucus at which
informal ballots for first choice were taken.
l attended under protest-for I am a
modest man-and in the first ballot the
vote OF the ladies stood, 35 for me, for Mr.
Fletcher and for Mr.. Grigsby. On the
second ballot Mr.. Grigsby's vote joined my
admirers, but the prejudiced old maid in
the corner insisted on voting for Fletcher.
As she seemed grieved, and refused to be
cOmfOrtedI withdrew from the race in favor
Of Mr.. Fletcher, having been satisfied that
was the almost unanimous choice of the
ladies: and fearing that if the weeping
maid failed to secure the majority vote for
Mr.: Fletcher she might lose his affections,
and be compelled to institute a suit for
breach of promise. I make the explan-
alton in justice to myself and my constit-
uents and to. wipe out the impression that
Furthermore, I desire to announce that /
am better looking man than Fletcher,
'.for money, chalk or marbles"
DONALD STEWART.